Former Newcastle United striker Seydou Doumbia has moved to FC Basel on loan from Roma, the latest in a series of switches for the player to try and rescue his career.

Big things were expected of the Ivory Coast international after he agreed a loan move to St James's Park at the end of the January transfer window this year, with a deal in place for a permanent transfer should the switch prove to be a success.

But if anything it is an understatement to say that the 28-year-old was a massive disappointment during his time on Tyneside.

Doumbia made just three appearances during his five month stay, and was only involved with the match day squad of eighteen six times. The attacker never played more than 20 minutes for the Magpies, and that came in the disastrous 5-1 defeat to Chelsea. His two other appearances were also from the bench, but were never more than six minutes.

The hope for both the player and Roma is that he will be able to recapture the form that earned him his move to Russia, as Doumbia scored 58 times in 79 games during his previous time in the Swiss Super League with Young Boys.

CSKA Moscow's Seydou Doumbia

The striker carried that form to CSKA, where he netted 84 times in 129 games, stats that make it clear why Roma moved for Doumbia.

A poor start in Serie A had him returning to Moscow on loan in the first half of last season, which saw somewhat of a return to form, but the resulting switch to Newcastle will have done little to install confidence in the player.

Time will tell if he can impress for the Swiss champions, who can make the move permanent at the end of the season.

Che Thomas

Che is an Englishman abroad unable to cut the apron strings tying him to the crazy world of English football. As a writer and freelance journalist, he has covered matches and cultural events from across the globe all with the intention to inform, entertain and provoke debate. Just as smitten with music, film, and photography, though fully aware of the fact that nothing takes the place of that Saturday afternoon excitement down at N17 (even when it's actually on a Sunday!)